D-55: Tacoma vs Westerly

[emmyloujake]

Hi! I was hoping to get some feedback from anyone who's been playing the D-55's. I'm saving up to buy one, and it sounds like the Tacoma D-55's are something special. My question is, since I'm pushing fifty here, would I be better off looking for an older model that has opened up, or are the new ones so great that buying new makes up for the fact that by the time the wood has aged I'll probably be too deaf to notice . . .
I've been listening to Frosty's Youtube videos, and I gotta say that in addition to the awesome playing, his D-55 sounds amazing.
Open to all opinions here! Also, is the difference between the D-50 and the D-55 just a matter of fancier ornamentation?

 

[JerryR]

Hi Emmylou - if you look at the 'Guild Moving' thread, Tacomas may soon be vintage as well :shock: Can't compare as I only have an old Westerly and havn't had the privilage of playing the new D50 or D55 (and yes, another thread implied the difference is mainly ornamentation) :mrgreen:

 

[Frosty]

emmyloujake, the D-55 is indeed a very special guitar. the difference between that model and the D50 is more than just ornamentation. The guitars sound very different to me, and which you prefer is a matter of personal preference.

I have had three Tacoma D55 guitars in my possession over the past 18 months, and one 1981 Westerly D-55. the best of the bunch (tone, playability, tone, responsiveness, and tone) was a brand-new 2007 model. YMMV, but I have yet to be disappointed by the new guitars.

 

[Guildmark]

Here's the sequence of reactions to my D-55:

First reaction: Guild?
Second reaction: Not Taylor?
Third reaction: A little "blingy", isn't it?
Fourth reaction: Now that I look closer, that is one very pretty guitar!
Fifth reaction: Damn! That's a great sounding guitar!
Sixth reaction: Mind if I play it?
Seventh reaction: Where can I get one of these?

 

[RT 66]

Hi Emmylou
Last fall I was lucky to find a 2001 Westerly D55-SB. As expected, it sounds great. I'm glad I held out for a later model 55 as it has scalloped bracing. As I understand it, Guild started doing that in the 90's. The Tacoma models are also scalloped, but I have never played one.
The Tacoma D50 have gotten rave reviews around here, but it also has Red Spruce for top wood so will sound different than a D55.
You might have a problem finding a Westerly D55.
My old 77 D35 is no slouch for tone and volume, but the 55 beats it easily. Hard to describe.
More open sounding. Some folks have used "Majestic" sounding and I would say it fits nicely.
But the D35 is not scalloped and has mahogany body.
I did a quick search around the net and didn't find any Westerly D55 anywhere at the moment.
Personally, I would prefer a later model scalloped top Westerly, But meanwhile, you could be breaking in a Tacoma built one.
Good Luck
RT

 

[Graham]

My question is, since I'm pushing fifty here, would I be better off looking for an older model that has opened up, or are the new ones so great that buying new makes up for the fact that by the time the wood has aged I'll probably be too deaf to notice . . .

I would hope that they would open up in a couple of years at most, with good play time so unless you have degenerative hearing loss, which I hope you don't, I wouldn't worry too much about that. I played Scratch's D-55 in Arlington I believe it's an '06 and it had a fabulous sound to it.

Do you buy green bananas?

 

[Pike]

I own a '98 Westerly D55 and owned a Tacoma D55. The Westerly has a thinner top and sounds better. The Tacoma built was nothing to sneeze at, but now belongs to someone else.

 

[GardMan]

I have yet to have the pleasure of playing a Tacoma-built D-55... In fact, the only D-55 I have ever heard "live" is mine, so I can't vouch for how Westerly vs. Tacomas sound (or my Westerly vs any other Westerly D-55, for that matter).

On the other hand, with a little luck, you might find a Westerly model for as much as $500-$800 less than you would pay for a new Tacoma D-55. I picked up my '92 off eBay a year ago for ~$1100 (even with a new (used) case, new end-pin and strap button, and new pins, I have only spent <$1250). It DOES have scalloped bracing, but in the early 90s, the D-55 didn't sport quite so much bling, lacking the abalone rosette around the sound hole. While mine has a few dings, and some "moderate" finish checking, it plays and sounds wonderful (IMO). If it meant being able to afford it a year earlier, and you were comfortable with a "previously-owned" guitar, I'd say go for a Westerly...

I see one Westerly D-55 on eBay right now: http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-D-55-Acou...oryZ2385QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem. Current bid is $1150... wouldn't be at all surprised if it sold for less than $1500.

Good hunting! Dave

 

[GardMan]

Another idea... if you don't need the bling, a lot of folks here think Westerly DV-52s are the best bang for the buck in a rosewood dread. They have the ab rosette, but dot fret markers. Scalloped bracing, ebony fretboard and bridge (I think)... so the ornamentation is sort of a hybrid between the D-50 and D-55. Here's one in satin or hand-rubbed finish:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-DV-52-Aco...oryZ2385QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They were also made in high gloss. Going range on eBay is $800-1100ish.

 

[HoboKen]

Yep! The DV-52s are the best "bang-for-the-buck" goin' .......

Check out the thread: "What Wood a Westerly Guild Be?"

The woods in a DV-52 may not be as highly rated as those of the D-55s, but, I'd put the DV-52 way ahead of a Martin D-28, etc.

I still like my Westerly's, but I have to admit that the Tacomas are growing on me!

HoboKen

Guild -DV-72
DV-52
F2-12
JF-55-12
JF-30
S-100
Martin D-35
Martin 000-1R
.....to name a few

 

[Frosty]

First reaction: Guild?
Second reaction: Not Taylor?
Third reaction: A little "blingy", isn't it?
Fourth reaction: Now that I look closer, that is one very pretty guitar!
Fifth reaction: Damn! That's a great sounding guitar!
Sixth reaction: Mind if I play it?
Seventh reaction: Where can I get one of these?

what you have here, mark, is pretty much the script of my first encounter with the d-55. substitute "taylor" for "gibson", in my case.

 

[emmyloujake]

Thanks for all responses. It sounds like I can't really go wrong no matter which way I go on this. I'm going to hit some shops next weekend and see if I can listen to one of the Tacoma ones to see how it sounds. I heard a friend's Martin D-28 (kinda new) tonight, and while it sounded really nice I can't wait to hear the Guild. I like my the sound on my guitars a lot more than the Martin. (Of course, I could be thinking my kids are just brighter than someone else's to some extent, but I really like the sound I get on my Guilds).

It's great getting such good feedback. I always learn so much on this site!

 

[dreadnut]

If you're buying new, you owe it to yourself to check out the Tacoma built D-50. Last one of those I played nearly blew away everything in the room, including a new D-55. Tone to the bone

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

New Tacoma built D55's don't have to cost 1800-2000 bucks..........Watch ebay! I bought mine, new in the box for 1500 bucks.

 

[fungusyoung]

One thing I'll say about the DV52... owning mine has completely stopped any searches for a rosewood back & sides dread. I don't need another one because I've never heard one sound better than what I have. Not saying D55's don't sound better, but I can't hear the difference maybe because I'm totally satisfied with what I have.... projection, tone, volume & mojo, it's got it all.

 

[Graham]

One thing I'll say about the DV52... owning mine has completely stopped any searches for a rosewood back & sides dread.

+1

I'll eventually pick up a RW jumbo 6 string, but I do not need a dred, even though the D-55 is a real pretty looking guitar.

 

[6L6]

I've wanted a D-55 since I first saw one in the early 70's. I finally consumated the deal with a new 2006 Tacoma D-55.

My quest was actually heightened when I was trying to find a way to come up with $5500 to buy #1 of 40 (I believe) Guild D-55 Anniversary (50th?) guitar made of Brazilian Rosewood. The guitar was at Guitar Showcase in San Jose, CA (still there I believe!) and I played it over and over again. Loved it!

It became apparent that I just wasn't going to be able to buy that guitar, so I finally turned my sights on the Tacoma-built ones.

WOW!!!

The truth is, my ear preferred the tone of the Tacoma built D-55 to the Brazilian Anniversary model.

SO...

I haggled a price and had Guitar Showcase order me a new one with the proviso I had no obligation to buy it if it wasn't what I really wanted. I needn't have worried. From the time I first opened the case and SMELLED it, it was love!

I had Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto install a Fishman Matrix pup in the guitar and it bacame my #1 gigging instrument. Many gigs later I can tell you I could not be happier with this instrument, plugged or unplugged. There was NO breaking in period. It just sounded/played/sustained GREAT right out of the box!

Last night I played a four hour long solo acoustic gig at a private party in Woodside, CA. I plug into a Fender Acoustasonic Jr. DSP amp which also carries my vocals. After performing around 70 songs (not bad for a 62 year old geezer!), I was still doing fine when it came time to end. The setup on my guitar (done by Gary Brawer in San Francisco) is fantastic and the ease of playing this tone machine is unbelievable.

In every way, I LOVE this Tacoma D-55 to death. I can't compare it to earlier ones, but it's hard for me to see how you could go wrong with a Tacoma-built.

Fact is, you can't go wrong with ANY Guild guitar. And that's GREAT NEWS!

6

'06 D-55
'07 D-40BJ
'07 F-412
'74 D-40

 

[Graham]

Last night I played a four hour long solo acoustic gig at a private party in Woodside, CA. I plug into a Fender Acoustasonic Jr. DSP amp which also carries my vocals. After performing around 70 songs (not bad for a 62 year old geezer!), I was still doing fine when it came time to end. The setup on my guitar (done by Gary Brawer in San Francisco) is fantastic and the ease of playing this tone machine is unbelievable.

Would you mind posting your set list?

 

[6L6]

Graham,

You've got mail.

6

 

[emmyloujake]

After reading all these comments, I feel my tax refund burning a hole in my pocket and it isn't even here yet!!!
I can't wait to get a D-55!!!!